In good times and bad, Wisconsin's paper industry kept a conveniently low profile and quiet presence, despite its oversize role in the state economy.

That sense of relative anonymity abruptly has changed, as money-losing Wausau Paper Corp. showed on Monday. Wausau issued its fourth-quarter report, which showed that it narrowed its losses, but Wall Street analysts showed little interest in the numbers. Instead, they were riveted on the hostile efforts to break up one of the state's oldest papermaking companies. | Feb. 11, 2013»Read Full Article(1)

Power has been restored to most of the estimated 600 customers who lost power Sunday night after a fault in an underground cable caused a fire and the explosion of a manhole cover downtown in an area between Milwaukee and Jefferson streets, Brian Manthey, a spokesman for We Energies, said Monday.

However, there are still some power problems in the Cass St. area where a fuse from an underground connector broke, causing the loss of power to some of the 130 customers on that line, he said. | Feb. 11, 2013»Read Full Article(9)

A year into its existence, Gener8tor is accepting applications from high-potential entrepreneurs to participate in its summer class.

The for-profit accelerator will provide mentoring and seed capital investments of at least $20,000 and tens of thousands more in services and resources to each start-up, said Joe Kirgues, a co-founder. Gener8tor will work with the start-ups over 12 weeks to help them identify customers and grow their businesses, he said. The young companies will also learn how to position their company to attract more investment. | Feb. 11, 2013»Read Full Article(1)

Home building permits in Wisconsin's biggest metro areas rose almost 38% in January, the best start for new-home construction since 2008.

A total of 201 permits were issued in the greater Milwaukee area, Dane County, Green Bay-Door County area, Fox Valley and the Racine-Kenosha area in January, according to MTD Marketing Services of Wisconsin Inc., of Oshkosh. | Feb. 11, 2013»Read Full Article(1)

A market on Milwaukee's northwest side that sells traditional Hmong clothing, Asian-themed gifts, produce and other items is seeking a loan from a city affiliate to help finance a planned expansion.

The business, Milwaukee's Asian Markets Phongsavan LLC, operates within a 14,000-square-foot former engine and transmission repair shop, at 6300 N. 76th St. Pai Yang opened the market, which includes a food court, in 2009. | Feb. 11, 2013»Read Full Blog Post(3)

Stein Gardens & Gifts has reached an agreement to open a new location at Hawks Nursery Co., at 12217 W. Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, Stein announced Monday.

Hawks will continue to independently own and operate its landscape design, construction and maintenance services firm, but will exit the retail garden center business. Stein will open its store at the former Hawks location early April. | Feb. 11, 2013»Read Full Blog Post(8)